Projectile for line-throwing guns



G. NORMAN.

rnonzcnu: FOR LINE THROWING'GUNS. APPLICATION FILED MAR. 3, I922.

1,41,963. I Patenteame 6,1922;

IHVENTOR Gsoncnz Nonnnu Fli ili.

GEORGE NORMAN, OF BIRMINGHAM, ENGLAND, ASSIGNOR TO B. S. A. GUNSLIMITED, 0]? BIRMINGHAM, ENGLAND.

PROJECTILE FOR LINE-THIQOIUING GUNS.

Application filed March 3, .1922.

T 0 aZZ whom 2'25 may concern:

Be it known that I, GEORGE NORMAN, a subject of the King of GreatBritain, residing at 322 Mansel Road, Small Heath, Birmingham, England,have invented cer tain new and useful Improvements in or Rslating toProjectiles for Line-Throwing Guns.

This invention relates to improvementsin projectiles for line-throwingguns, and refers more particularly to projectiles of the kind which haveattached thereto a line, and are adapted to be passed into and over thebarrel of the gun, and are projected into the air by means of a blankcartridge or other suitable explosive charge.

The object .of the invention is to provide an improved construction andarrangement of projectile of the aforesaid kind, whereby the force ofthe explosive gases is more fully and effectively utilized in thedischarge of the projectile thereby extending the flight or range ofsame; and means for connecting the line to the projectile which permitof greater accuracy in flight being obtained than with projectiles forline-'throw ing as at present in use.

Another object is to provide means whereby water or moisture isprevented from reaching the cartridge or charge after the projectile hasbeen, placed in the gun.

The invention consists in the employment of a projectile comprising arod which is adapted to slidably enter the barrel of the gun, and atubular sleeve which is arranged to surround or envelop the barrel ofthe gun, the said rod and sleeve part being connected together at theirupper outer ends by means of a suitable nose part or cap which ispreferably arranged to rest on the outer end or mouth of the barrel ofthe gun, and at the inner or lower end of the aforesaid sleeve part orenvelope, means are provided for the attachment thereto of the line, orattachment cords or wires to the end of which. the line may be secured.

In order that my invention may be clearly understood and readily carriedinto effect I will describe same with reference to the accompanyingdrawings, in which Figure 1 shows in part sectional elevation aprojectile constructed. in accordance with this invention, mounted inposition on the barrel of a gun ready for firing.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented June 6, 1922.

Serial No. 540,735.

Figure 2 shows an end and side elevation of the projectile.

Figure 3 shows inlongitudinal section the disassembled sleeve part andnose or cap of the projectile and an elevation of the rod.

Figures 4: and 5 show respectively a sec tional elevation and a sideelevation of a modified means for detachably connecting the halyard orline to the projectile.

Like numerals of reference. indicate the same feature or part throughoutthe several figures of the drawings.

According to one embodiment of this invention, as illustrated in Figures1 to 3 .of the accompanying drawings, I provide a rod 1 which is of adiameter somewhat less than the bore of the bar-rel 2 of the gun, so asto perm-it, when discharged therefrom, of a minimum of frictionalresistance, and on the upper or outer end of the said rod is secured anose part or cap 3, which in one form may be screwed on to the end ofthe rod 1 and further secured or locked thereon by a cross pin or peg4;.

To the outer diameter of the aforesaid nose partor cap is screwed orotherwise secured a tube or sleeve part 5 which is adapted to surroundor envelop the outer diameter-of the barrel2. If desired, the nose part3 and the aforesaid tube or sleeve 5 may be formed integral.

At the lower end of the sleeve part or envelope 5 of the projectile,provision is made for the attachment of cords or wires, to the outer endof which the halyard or line is connected.

In a preferred arrangement I form near the lower end of the aforesaidsleeve part 5 six longitudinal slots 6, and three alternate bars or ribs7 between the said slots are raised or bulged outward to permit of thecord or wire 8, to which the line or halyard 9 is connected, beingthreaded or passed therethrough, and such is intended to pre ventrubbing contact of the cord 8 with the outer face of the barrel 2 whenthe projectile is discharged; also, the aforesaid means for connectingthe said cord 8 are adapted to permit of the use of a. single piece asillustrated, whereby it is connected to opposite sides of the sleeve 5,or if desired, cords may be attached to each of the lugs 7, but ineither case it will be observed that the connections of the cords to theprojectile are balanced so as to prevent deflectionof same during itsflight.

In a modified. arrangement, as shown in Figures a and 5, the attachmentcords 8 are detachably connected to the sleeve part5 of the projectile,by means of a ferrule .10 having formed thereon or attached thereto twoor more lugs 7 to which the cords 8* are attached, the said ferrule 10being flared at its lower end 11, and adapted to frictionally engagewith the correspondingly flared end 12 of the sleeve 5 The ferrule 10 ispreferably arranged to protrude beyond the lower end of the sleeve 5 toper mit of it being released or detached by means of a knock or blow onits outer protrading end.

The line 9 which is coiled in a canister or other suitable deviceadapted to permit of the ready uncoiling or paying out of same, may beconnected to the' attachment cord or cords 8 by means of halyard clips13, or if desired, it may be tied or knotted thereto.

In the discharge of my improved con struction and arrangement ofprojectile, the operation is as follows The explosive gases impingeagainst the lower end of the rod part 1 thereof, thus forcing sameoutward through the barrel of the gun. Owing to the free fit of the rod1 in the bore of the barrel 2,'a portion'of the gases escapes bet-weenthe said rod and the barrel, but such is pocketed in the sleeve orenvelope 5 by the cap or nose part 3 on the outer end thereof, and thusutilized or employed in the projection of the projectile.

Further, by reason of the attachment of the halyard or line 9 toattachment means which are connected to the lower end of the sleeve part5 of the projectile, its posi tion or direction in flight is notaltered, as is the case with projectiles at present in use. wherein theline is attached to the upper end of the projectile or a part formed onor secured thereto and arranged to pro trude beyond the muzzle of thegun, thus greater accuracy in firing is obtained.

When the projectile is placed inthe barrel of the gun, by reason of itssleeve part 5 completely covering the mouth of the barrel th entrance ofwater or moisture is effectively prevented, thus protecting thecartridge or charge from damage.

It will be readily understood that my improved construction andarrangement of projectile, by modification insize, is applicable for usewith guns of various types, adapted to be fired from the shoulder orfrom a pedestal or bracket, or for discharge from a mortar or smallcannon.

Having fully described my invention, what I desire to claim and secureby Letters Patent is:

1. A projectile for use in line-throwing guns, comprising rod adapted toslidahly enter the barrel of a gun, a tubular sleeve adapted to envelopthe barrel of the gun, and a nose piece connecting the rod and sleeve attheir outer ends and adapted to rest upon the mouth of the barrel of thegun.

2. A. projectile for line-throwing guns, as claimed in claim. 1. whereinthe rod has an easy fit in the barrel to reduce frictional resistanceduring the discharge of the projectile, and to permit of the passage ofa portion of the powder gases into the sleeve or envelope, to assist inthe projection of the projectile.

3. A projectile for line-throwing guns, as claimed in claim 1, whereinthe sleeve is provided near its lower end with means to receiveattachment cords for connecting the projectile to the line or halyard. v

a. In a projectile for line-throwing, guns, as claimed in claim 1, aflared portion on the inner end of said sleeve and means for detachablyconnecting the projectile to the line, comprising a ferrule havingthereon lugs to receive the attachment cords, and provided at its'lowerend with a conical part adapted to engage with the flared end of thesleeve of the projectile.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand in the presence of twosubscribing witnesses.

GEORGE NOR-MAN.

